Winnebago Picks A Winning GPS Solution

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to our E-mail Digest or RSS Feed. We will then send you the stories that are posted each day in an e-mail digest. We use a service called Feedburner for delivery of these emails. You will receive an e-mail from Feedburner after you subscribe and you must click on that email to activate your subscription. Thanks for visiting and enjoy all the information! RV.Net Blog AdminA look of what’s new, from Lug_Nut. Winnebago has announced it will be offering the Rand McNally GPS in the dash of selected 2014 models. Two screen sizes will be used with the largest being a huge 10.4”. This will give Winnebago the edge of offering the largest in-dash GPS in the RV market today. While there are many, many makes of GPS systems used in vehicles today, the Rand McNally is perhaps the only unit that was built with the RV market and application in mind. The internal user selected mode, can be configured to the real world size and weight of the specific vehicle it is installed in. Additionally tows, be it trailer or flat tow, can be added or removed at any time. How does the Rand McNally stack up against the others? Well, first of all, none are without fault. There are no makes that I’m aware of that are 100% consistently accurate. Small error can happen from time to time. Some of these errors may be due to RF signal propagation as well as possible internal processing logistic issues. But, in general, most receivers deliver fairly... Read more

A Popular Choice In RV’s Today

Lug_Nut, with a product class point of view.  With the economy slowly improving and banks loosening their grip on loans, RV sales are increasing in many areas.  One of the brightest stars in this recovery seems to be the Class B motor home.  These are the smaller, van like, vehicles that are manufactured by such companies as Roadtrek, Pleasure-Way, Thor and Winnebago.  Sales for these types of recreational vehicles soared to a 32% year over year increase during the first eight months of 2012.  The market share certainly belongs to Roadteck, capturing 35.8% of the Class B sales.  They are followed by Pleasure-Way at 19.9%, closely trailed by Thor at 19.3% and Winnebago securing 16%. So, why are these motorized RV’s becoming so popular?  Well let’s look at some of the advantages they may have over that of a Class C or A. Attractive price point ranging from $65K to over $100K for new. Easy to drive and park in urban areas, requiring no special license. Thrifty on fuel and available in gasoline or diesel powered. Can operate as a lone vehicle or a daily driver. Can be stored at home in the driveway in nearly any city. Can travel in locations not accessible to larger rigs.  ie: Going To The Sun Road. Much of the servicing can be done at your local repair shop. Much more energy efficient to maintain interior temperatures in all climates. Okay, but what about the home comforts and conveniences?  Well, no shortage there.  The inside seems surprisingly large given the vehicle’s... Read more

Vintage Trailer Restoration Project Captured on Video

  Earlier this year video producer Mark Polk, of RV Education 101, decided to produce an online RV series, titled “Mark’s RV Garage.”  Polk explained the goal of the show was to help educate and entertain RV consumers and RV enthusiasts. When considering a feature segment for the new RV series Polk decided to tackle a vintage trailer restoration project. Little did he know at the time the scope the restoration project would entail.  Unforeseen damage, below the surface of the exterior metal, would result in dismantling the project trailer down to the bare frame and rebuilding it from the ground up. Adding to the complexity of an already daunting challenge Polk’s plans included upgrading the old trailer with modern day RV equipment and amenities. As season one of the new RV series progressed each step of the vintage restoration project was captured along the way. What initially began as a 10 episode season evolved into 17 episodes, culminating in the season finale where the finished product was revealed to viewers for the first time. When asked to recap season one of “Mark’s RV Garage” Polk responded, “I think anybody who likes RVs, or is thinking an RV might be in their future would not only enjoy watching the vintage restoration project unfold, but could learn a great deal from the series too. To view season one episodes of Mark’s RV Garage visit this You Tube link Happy RV Learning, Mark Polk RV Education 101 RV Consumer  Read More →

Photovoltaic spray paint turns steel into solar panels

By Bob Difley A European steel company and a university in Wales are putting their collective heads together to develop a spray-on coating that would  transform sheets of steel into solar panels. No Joke. Not only that, but it is efficient, also, with the ability to work even in diffused sunlight. Perfect for states (and countries) in the higher latitudes and those without much bright sunlight. Forward-lookers ate visualizing the automotive industry where photo-sensitive dyes could be applied to generate electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen for fuel cells. Imagine the applications of such a product. No more need to invest thousands of dollars in not-so efficient solar panels for your RV’s roof, and–get this–no range limit for electric vehicles. No more need for users of smart phones, laptop, iPads, or other devices to cart around power cables to re-charge. The power options could be limitless. Fat chance you think? Another hair-brained idea from 20-something science majors who have been smoking something. Think again, if you think the spray-on solar technology is years away from reality. The technology of  ’printing’ these dyes onto steel sheets has already been mastered by a subsidiary of the European steel maker, which is working on a new plant for the production of these steel sheets. They didn’t say whether the spray-on would work on fiberglass. I can’t imagine making RVs out of steel plates just to turn them into... Read more

Mark’s RV Garage Season One Finale Released

RV Education 101 releases the season finale of the new Internet based RV How-To series titled “Mark’s RV Garage.” The new episode is available for viewing at www.rvconsumer.com and on You Tube            After 16 bi-monthly episodes the highly anticipated season finale is released, revealing the completed vintage trailer restoration for the very first time. Season finale highlights:  * The Old Yellowstone trailer gets a fresh coat of paint. * Polk installs a new 3,500 pound Dexter axle. * The electric brakes are converted to disc brakes with the addition of new brake rotors, calipers, and a Actulink electric/hydraulic brake actuator. To complete the new braking system Polk adds a DirecLink Network Enhanced brake controller. * Before the trailer can hit the road for the first time Polk installs an Equalizer hitch. * Mark Polk reflects back on season one through a series of Q&A. * All of this and more on the season finale of “Mark’s RV Garage”   If you missed previous episodes of Mark’s RV Garage they are archived at www.rvconsumer.com for easy retreival and viewing Happy RV Learning, Mark Polk www.rvconsumer.com www.rveducation101.com  Read More →

Mark’s RV Garage Episode #16 RV Internet Show Released

RV Education 101 releases Episode #16 of the new Internet based RV How-To series titled “Mark’s RV Garage.” The new episode is available for viewing at www.rvconsumer.com and on You Tube           On this episode of Mark’s RV Garage:  * Polk installs stabilizer jacks on the rear of the trailer and an electric tongue jack on the front. * For safety the trailer gets a combinationLP gas and Carbon Monoxide detector. * The trailer gets new LP gas cylinders, and the LP gas system gets checked for proper operating pressure and for leaks. * For entertainment the trailer gets a 24 inch Jensen LCD TV.  *All of this and more on this episode of “Mark’s RV Garage”  If you missed previous episodes of Mark’s RV Garage they are archived at www.rvconsumer.com for easy retreival and viewing Don’t miss the season finale, coming soon Happy RV Learning, Mark Polk www.rvconsumer.com www.rveducation101.com  Read More →

Mark’s RV Garage Episode #15 RV Intenet Show Released

RV Education 101 releases Episode #15 of the new Internet based RV How-To series titled “Mark’s RV Garage.” The new episode is available for viewing at www.rvconsumer.com and on  You Tube            * Polk installs the exterior metal and windows in the vintage trailer restoration project.  * Watch the installation of a Voyager Digital Wireless Observation System with WiSight technology  * Find out what Polk considers to be RV Maintenance Mishaps and see what you can do to avoid them.  *All of this and more on this episode of “Mark’s RV Garage”  If you missed previous episodes of Mark’s RV Garage they are archived at www.rvconsumer.com for easy retreival and viewing Episode # 16 will be available for viewing on 05 September 2011. Happy RV Learning, Mark Polk www.rvconsumer.com www.rveducation101.com  Read More →

Mark’s RV Garage Episode #14 RV Internet Show Released

RV Education 101 releases Episode #14 of the new Internet based RV How-To series titled “Mark’s RV Garage.” The new episode is available for viewing at www.rvconsumer.com and on  You Tube          On this episode of Mark’s RV Garage: * Mark installs a new RV 500 tankless water heater and tests the electrical system on the vintage trailer restoration project.  * Discover a product that will keep your motorhome wheels going straight even if there is a blowout.  * Get some preventive maintenance tips on how to check the air pressure in your tires.  * All of this and more on this episode of Mark’s RV Garage.  If you missed previous episodes of Mark’s RV Garage they are archived at www.rvconsumer.com for easy retreival and viewing Episode # 15 will be available for viewing on 22 August 2011. Happy RV Learning, Mark Polk www.rvconsumer.com www.rveducation101.com  Read More →

Westfalia Launchs Anniversary Camping Box

The camper van is turning 60 and German-based Westfalia, constructor of the original camping bus, recently announced the upcoming launch of an innovative anniversary model on a “tried-and-tested vehicle base.” 1969 Westfalia Camping Bus (Credit: busandcamper.com) According to a news release, a strictly limited special edition version, the “Edition 60” will be presented to the world at the 2011 Caravan Salon Düsseldorf (August 27-September 4). The name of the series model will be announced at the presentation. Around 1950, the then-small Westphalian company constructed a totally new kind of vehicle. According to the builder, it was a revolutionary design that would become a vehicle category in its own right and would play a role. The Westfalia Camping Bus, called the “Camping Box,” went on sale for the first time in 1951 and now, 60 years later, the concept is as up-to-date as it ever was. To mark this anniversary, Westfalia is launching the Edition 60, a vehicle that perfectly merges the spirit of the original bus with the technical and functional capabilities available in 2011. To mark the start of the anniversary, there will be an exclusive and limited special edition that will be followed in a few weeks by a series production model. With this newly developed vehicle, Westfalia said the legendary brand will set new standards in terms of innovation, comfort, and convenience in its anniversary year as well. The Edition 60 is the first camper in the van segment to... Read more

Tempflow Mattress and My Sleep Experiment

By Corey Grant, Woodall’s Staff Writer I take sleeping very seriously. As the days get longer and the nights get increasingly shorter, the time I have to sleep becomes more precious every day. If I don’t get a solid six hours of quality sleep a night I am irritably, groggy, sore, and basically a drain upon society. That is why choosing a mattress can become a monumental challenge. If I don’t choose a good mattress then I can say ‘good night’ to a good night’s rest, and that does not sit well with me (or my wife for that matter). So when Relief Mart contacted me about testing and reviewing the Tempflow Mattress for RVs and home, you can imagine my hesitation. Before I even took the mattress out of the packaging, I wrote up a list of the qualities I wanted in a mattress, and I decided right then and there that for me to recommend this Tempflow mattress, it would have to meet all these criteria. Support I have had my run-ins with lumpy, droopy, hard-as-rock mattresses in the past, and they were not pleasant experiences. So right off the bat, I wanted to make sure that this Tempflow Mattress had the right amount of support so I don’t fold in half, but also have enough to provide comfort. Experts at the Spine Universe research firm state that a mattress should allow the spine to assume its natural curve. Too hard a mattress, and the spine is forced into an unnatural position, but too soft, and the spine sags, and you can experience painful back... Read more

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